as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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Recent Examples of bystanders
Security forces, private contractors and self-defense groups have also been at fault, hitting bystanders with stray bullets and explosive drones.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
One video of the arrest showed police officers standing by and seemingly creating a barrier between the arrest and several bystanders, some of whom are asking immigrant agents for their badge numbers.
—Mathew Miranda
updated March 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
No officers or bystanders were injured.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
The man is later seen lying motionless on the street as bystanders and police attempt to wake him.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Footage from bystanders showed police had cordoned off the scene and were directing beachgoers and drivers away from the area.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
That could even include bystanders.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026
At least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Numerous bystanders waved for assistance, prompting the president to turn around and call over medics.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
One video of the arrest showed police officers standing by and seemingly creating a barrier between the arrest and several bystanders, some of whom are asking immigrant agents for their badge numbers.
—Mathew Miranda
updated March 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
No officers or bystanders were injured.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
The man is later seen lying motionless on the street as bystanders and police attempt to wake him.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Footage from bystanders showed police had cordoned off the scene and were directing beachgoers and drivers away from the area.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
That could even include bystanders.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026
At least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Numerous bystanders waved for assistance, prompting the president to turn around and call over medics.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
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A bit like modern e-sports, spectators could observe the virtual match.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Mar. 2026
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For spectators heading downtown, here's what to know for Sunday's race.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Following a trial described by international observers as a kangaroo court, they were sentenced to death on October 31, 1995.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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This might make observers wonder why Lee even bothered to introduce the measure.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The film directed by Vivian Sorenson and Jonathan Nastasi invites viewers to reevaluate the current American food system which has achieved massive scale, delivery of cheap calories to consumers and immense profits to mega corporations but at the expense of healthy food and sustainable practices.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
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Belber said the event traditionally stimulates the local economy, bringing visitors into hotels, bars, restaurants and retail shops, not to mention the prestige of highlighting the city of Albany in a tournament that draws international broadcast viewers.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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